At Wondercide, we like to think of ourselves as the pioneers of pawsitivity in the workplace. While the rest of the world celebrates Take Your Dog to Work Day once a year, we've taken things to a whole new level by welcoming our furry friends every single day. And thatâs exactly how we love it. Our office is a doggie haven where tails wag, paws tap, and productivity soars to new heights.
We know that taking dogs to work has an array of benefits for both our employees and our four-legged companions. One top reason: They help us feel good. In fact, a report from the National Library of Medicine found that, âpeople who brought their pet companions to work have lower self-reported stress at work. In addition, the highest perceived function of pets in the workplace is to reduce stress, reported by owners, managers, and non-owners. Allowing dogs into the workplace can also reduce the stress related to the personal life of dog-owners. Dog-owners who are allowed to bring a dog to work feel less stressed than do colleagues who either leave their dog at home or in a dog-care facility, making pet-friendly policies an instrument for better employee workâlife balance.âÂ
Clearly, it's a win-win situation. Still, that doesnât mean we let our friendly furry ones run the office. Well, mostly they donât.Â
Dogs rule. And we have rules, too.
First and foremost, we have a few guidelines to ensure a harmonious work environment. Wondercide dogs must be well-behaved and healthy, with a penchant for good grooming. And let's not forget about the importance of responsible pet ownership. All pups must be spayed or neutered. Leashes are a must, keeping our furry colleagues in check and in their owners' physical presence at all times. After all, we want to avoid "paws-on" mishaps while we go about our work
Of course, we understand that not everyone is as head-over-heels in love with dogs as we are. If any of our employees are allergic to or fearful of their co-workers' fluffy companions, we respect their boundaries and keep the pups at a respectful distance. We're all about fostering a comfortable and inclusive atmosphere.
One thing we take very seriously is the cleanliness of our workspace. So, rest assured, Wondercide employees are committed to picking up after their adorable furballs. No mousetraps in the office, thank you very much. Plus, we've strategically placed doggie gates to maintain a sense of calm and order throughout the day.
SoâŚwhoâs who?
Meet some of the regulars who bring joy and wagging tails to our office:
In the Operations department, we have Clyde, Tucker, Everett, and Lola who excel at providing their paws-on assistance to keep things running smoothly. Playing fetch during breaks is top on the to-do list.
Over in Fulfillment where boxes are filled and shipped, Mila is the queen of keeping things running smoothly. She's got an eye for efficiency and a nose for finding the right package. A few hugs at break time always makes her day.
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Customer Love is where Winnie shines. Just like our customer service team, her friendly disposition and wagging tail make our pack feel extra loved and appreciated. Winnie loves Thankful Thursday and is always available for pets through the day.
And let's not forget about social media pups. Marnie and Winnie are always on trend. Their creative and community prowess is only enhanced by the presence of their loyal and supportive canine companions.
If you chat with the company in social media, Winne is there for you. He keeps an eye on all the messages of goodness and loves to hear how everyone is staying protected from bugs with Wondercide.
We're so passionate about our furry coworkers that we've dedicated a wall in Luna's Lounge (Luna was the original Wonder pup!) to celebrate all of our furry teammates. We update it regularly to showcase the latest additions to our ever-expanding pack.
The ways our doggos work and play.
Two of our office dogs are certified members of the prestigious Go Team Therapy, Crisis & Airport Dogs. Clyde and Tucker lend a helping paw in times of need, spreading comfort and smiles wherever they go.Â
And if that wasn't impressive enough, theyâre also part of Team Wondercide Dock Divers, taking the plunge and making waves in the world of competitive diving. Everett is also part of the team. At the 2021 National Dock Diving Championship, Everett placed 9th in the senior division while Tucker competed in the Junior division. From his mom, Deana: âLetâs just say he was there for the party and we absolutely love him for being him - heâs a perfect example of âyou do youâ and is living his best life by that motto!â
Clyde was the #1 ranked golden retriever in the senior division for part of the 2022 season until he jumped right into a higher division. App-paws to the team!
While we all work hard at Wondercide, we know how to have a good time too! Dogs are an integral part of everything we do, from our weekly Thankful Thursday meetings, to our monthly Fun Fun Fridays and quarterly All Hands gatherings. They even join us for holiday parties, where they're guaranteed to receive their fair share of treats and belly rubs.
But it's the little things that truly showcase the magic of having dogs in the office. Picture this: you're walking toward the front door, and you spot a collection of sticks neatly gathered by our diligent canine colleagues. They take them when itâs time for fetch outside and leave them for other dogs who might need a stick or two. It's a true testament to the thoughtfulness and camaraderie that exists among our furry coworkers.
And let's not forget about the mischievous moments that keep us laughing. One afternoon, a mysterious banging noise echoed through one of the back doors. Naturally, we thought it was a human desperately trying to enter. To our surprise, it was little Mila on a mission to find her human, Marsha. Looks like she didn't quite make it through the door when Marsha did. They were quickly reunited.
Our employees can attest to the boundless joy that dogs bring to the office. Lucy, for instance, waits by her owner's front door every morning, leash in mouth, excited for another day of work. If that's not dedication, we don't know what is.
Bow wow to good times.
It's not all about the cute and cuddly factor. There are both measurable and anecdotal benefits to having our pets with us at work, including providing more opportunities to come together as teammates and colleagues.
In an article in Time, it was noted that Jennifer Fearing, co-author of âDogs at Work: A Practical Guide to Creating Dog-Friendly Workplaces,â said that pets also could provide an opportunity for collaboration across departments:
âYou discover, when walking across the office to pet a cute dog, cross-pollination between your work,â she said. "You really wouldnât have had the idea to work together, but because you struck up a conversation about the dog, you discover an opportunity that produces some synergy that wouldnât have otherwise existed.â
It seems to us that the benefits of having your pet at work with you are positively overwhelming. Weâre excited to continue welcoming our furry friends in the office today and every day. We encourage you to do the same. Take those dogs to work and see how everything from morale to productivity improves. Before you go to work with your pup, put on Wondercide's Flea & Tick Collar or use Flea & Tick Pets + Home spray on your pup and throughout the office to keep fleas and ticks away from the fun. Now, itâs time to let pawsitivity reign supreme.